Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

Would they have any impact in America? If America breed Sumatrans, would Hutan/Indrah be of any value and provide any genetic diversity? Sumatrans are a critically endangered species and it’s always great to see cubs being born, and being new to this, I’m not sure who would be great where. I of course hope MZ would keep tigers, but if even one of the siblings can be sent elsewhere for breeding it would be amazing

Theoretically yes. While Nico and Meta’s daughter, Kali, was sent to the US, where she now has many descendants - each generation was bred with input from other bloodlines, so there’s enough genetic difference between our population and their’s given little exchange has taken place. Last year, Auckland imported 1.1 from the US.

In reality, Melbourne Zoo wouldn’t expect these two individuals to the US based on their age. Indrah is almost post reproductive (if not already) and her brother would similarly be 15 years old by the time permits are processed for his export to the US. The import/expert process can take two years to arrange, so for all that effort, only young animals are traded.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Theoretically yes. While Nico and Meta’s daughter, Kali, was sent to the US, where she now has many descendants - each generation was bred with input from other bloodlines, so there’s enough genetic difference between our population and their’s given little exchange has taken place. Last year, Auckland imported 1.1 from the US.

In reality, Melbourne Zoo wouldn’t expect these two individuals to the US based on their age. Indrah is almost post reproductive (if not already) and her brother would similarly be 15 years old by the time permits are processed for his export to the US. The import/expert process can take two years to arrange, so for all that effort, only young animals are traded.

I see. Good to know, but a bit sad that Indrah and Hutan may never have descendants. I hope they one day get trialled in the same exhibit(obviously not for breeding purposes)

 

[Zoofan15]

I see. Good to know, but a bit sad that Indrah and Hutan may never have descendants. I hope they one day get trialled in the same exhibit(obviously not for breeding purposes)

Hutan and Indrah’s four surviving siblings all went into breeding pairs - but curiously none of them produced cubs.

For now, Melbourne are happy to have these two exhibits filled - but depending on their personalities, it may be possible to integrate them. Hutan is a placid male and integrations with post reproductive females have been achieved at zoos like Hamilton and Honolulu without issue.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Hutan and Indrah’s four surviving siblings all went into breeding pairs - but curiously none of them produced cubs.

For now, Melbourne are happy to have these two exhibits filled - but depending on their personalities, it may be possible to integrate them. Hutan is a placid male and integrations with post reproductive females have been achieved at zoos like Hamilton and Honolulu without issue.

I’m a little bit confused… When did Hutan and Indrah arrive at the zoo, because I could’ve sworn there was only 1 tiger enclosure before lion gorge.

 

[StoppableSan]

Hutan and Indrah’s four surviving siblings all went into breeding pairs - but curiously none of them produced cubs.

For now, Melbourne are happy to have these two exhibits filled - but depending on their personalities, it may be possible to integrate them. Hutan is a placid male and integrations with post reproductive females have been achieved at zoos like Hamilton and Honolulu without issue.

Brain blast - what if the lions were moved into Indrah's enclosure if and when she moves out? Then the dingo/current lion enclosures could be combined and utilized for something else...

 

[Zoofan15]

I’m a little bit confused… When did Hutan and Indrah arrive at the zoo, because I could’ve sworn there was only 1 tiger enclosure before lion gorge.

Hutan and Indrah were born at Melbourne Zoo in 2010.

That’s correct - the larger exhibit previously housed the breeding pair (Ramalon and Binjai) on a rotational basis. Ramalon and Binjai’s first litter (two surviving cubs) were transferred out in 2009; but the second exhibit was useful following the birth of quadruplets (all surviving) in 2010 as the cubs matured and required more space.

 

[Zoofan15]

Brain blast - what if the lions were moved into Indrah's enclosure if and when she moves out? Then the dingo/current lion enclosures could be combined and utilized for something else...

That’s not a bad idea - though my personal preference would be to see Dingo phased out and the Dingo/African lion exhibits combined to create a larger lion exhibit. Melbourne Zoo has an extensive history with lions and they’re huge crowd pullers.

A single pair of bachelor male lions will hold the same attraction as a breeding pride, so I really think Melbourne should be going all in here. They’re happy to dedicate a large amount of space to giraffes (which can be seen at Werribee), so why not lions, which are far bigger crowd pullers?

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

That’s not a bad idea - though my personal preference would be to see Dingo phased out and the Dingo/African lion exhibits combined to create a larger lion exhibit. Melbourne Zoo has an extensive history with lions and they’re huge crowd pullers.

A single pair of bachelor male lions will hold the same attraction as a breeding pride, so I really think Melbourne should be going all in here. They’re happy to dedicate a large amount of space to giraffes (which can be seen at Werribee), so why not lions, which are far bigger crowd pullers?

I don’t think dingo should be phasd out, just moved to the Aus section. I would prefer another canine claim the dingo exhibit

 

[Zoofan15]

I don’t think dingo should be phasd out, just moved to the Aus section. I would prefer another canine claim the dingo exhibit

To be fair, international tourists would come to one of Australia’s premier zoos expecting to see a Dingo, so fair enough. A transfer to the Australian section is a suitable compromise. Since African wild dogs are at Werribee, I’d like to see Maned wolf at Melbourne.

 

[Jambo]

Hutan and Indrah’s four surviving siblings all went into breeding pairs - but curiously none of them produced cubs.

For now, Melbourne are happy to have these two exhibits filled - but depending on their personalities, it may be possible to integrate them. Hutan is a placid male and integrations with post reproductive females have been achieved at zoos like Hamilton and Honolulu without issue.

I’m a little bit confused… When did Hutan and Indrah arrive at the zoo, because I could’ve sworn there was only 1 tiger enclosure before lion gorge.

Hutan and Indrah were born at Melbourne Zoo in 2010.

That’s correct - the larger exhibit previously housed the breeding pair (Ramalon and Binjai) on a rotational basis. Ramalon and Binjai’s first litter (two surviving cubs) were transferred out in 2009; but the second exhibit was useful following the birth of quadruplets (all surviving) in 2010 as the cubs matured and required more space.

Previously Ramalon and Binjai were housed in the main exhibit (with the cubs), but Binjai was later housed in one of the Big Cat Cages from 2012 onwards, with Hutan and Indrah rotating the enclosure in TOTE. Indrah was then moved into the carnivores trail when that opened in 2017, leaving Hutan and Binjai to rotate the TOTE enclosure prior to her death in 2021. Hutan was originally planned to move into the Carnivores trail enclosure but he wasn’t able to be crate trained properly in time.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

To be fair, international tourists would come to one of Australia’s premier zoos expecting to see a Dingo, so fair enough. A transfer to the Australian section is a suitable compromise. Since African wild dogs are at Werribee, I’d like to see Maned wolf at Melbourne.

Maned wolf, Dhole, (grey)wolf, splitting the enclosure into 2 and housing 2 species of jackal… all of those seem like decent options. Even striped hyena is left field if Werribee support them. Overall, I really hope dingo is not a long term thing, and an exotic species of canid/hyena is an eventual replacement. Expanding the lion enclosure is a decent idea, but I’d prefer to see more diversity at MZ, just personally. Even if the lion enclosure expanded to make the Dingo exhibit far smaller, something like the aforementioned jackal could be housed.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

On another note, I heard that American zoos may be phasing out Sun Bears and Asiatic Black Bears in favour of sloth bears. If this is true, it presents as an opportunity for the region (and by extension Victoria) to gain some more imports. Since we are not having massive success with Sun Bears, some new imports could be amazing. As we discussed, the region is missing a ‘trademark bear’ and the asiatic black bear certainly fits this category. Would still be holding out hope for one of Brown bear, sloth bear or Spectacled bear to be represented in the region. The bears at MZ and others are sorely missed

 

[Zoofan15]

Maned wolf, Dhole, (grey)wolf, splitting the enclosure into 2 and housing 2 species of jackal… all of those seem like decent options. Even striped hyena is left field if Werribee support them. Overall, I really hope dingo is not a long term thing, and an exotic species of canid/hyena is an eventual replacement. Expanding the lion enclosure is a decent idea, but I’d prefer to see more diversity at MZ, just personally. Even if the lion enclosure expanded to make the Dingo exhibit far smaller, something like the aforementioned jackal could be housed.

It’s not a huge exhibit so I feel like Grey wolves would be a stretch. Maned wolf would be perfect as there’s every indication the coati will be phased out, so this gives South America some representation.

Maned wolf are also the most realistic species as they’re a species that’s supported within the region and easily acquired from other regional holders.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

It’s not a huge exhibit so I feel like Grey wolves would be a stretch. Maned wolf would be perfect as there’s every indication the coati will be phased out, so this gives South America some representation.

Maned wolf are also the most realistic species as they’re a species that’s supported within the region and easily acquired from other regional holders.

I love the idea of maned wolf, as I’ve actually never seen one in person. If a South American precinct cannot be figured out, then I am fully of the believe Maned wolf should be held in the exhibit. I am just holding out hope they may consider a precinct at either of Vic’s zoos

 

[Zoofan15]

On another note, I heard that American zoos may be phasing out Sun Bears and Asiatic Black Bears in favour of sloth bears. If this is true, it presents as an opportunity for the region (and by extension Victoria) to gain some more imports. Since we are not having massive success with Sun Bears, some new imports could be amazing. As we discussed, the region is missing a ‘trademark bear’ and the asiatic black bear certainly fits this category. Would still be holding out hope for one of Brown bear, sloth bear or Spectacled bear to be represented in the region. The bears at MZ and others are sorely missed

You’re correct that sun bears have been designated as phase out within the North American region and that Sloth bears are now the focus species of their region.

Looking over their population list of sun bears, it appears most of their bears are elderly, which is a shame as the opportunity has been missed to send them to Australasia in time for them to have a breeding application. The Australasian region desperately needs male sun bears, with three reproductive aged females (all unpaired) living across three zoos. The European population similarly has a deficit of male sun bears.

 

[Zoofan15]

I love the idea of maned wolf, as I’ve actually never seen one in person. If a South American precinct cannot be figured out, then I am fully of the believe Maned wolf should be held in the exhibit. I am just holding out hope they may consider a precinct at either of Vic’s zoos

While I’d love to see Growing Wild bulldozed and a South American precinct created in this area, it’s unlikely at this point in time. Maned wolf in the Carnivores precinct is the best we can hope for, but is something I’d be more than happy with.

Maned wolf are a stunning species. They’re enabling in that everyone loves a fox - and they’re a fox on stilts! They also fall into the category of animals that smell like things, which contributes to public interest in them.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

While I’d love to see Growing Wild bulldozed and a South American precinct created in this area, it’s unlikely at this point in time. Maned wolf in the Carnivores precinct is the best we can hope for, but is something I’d be more than happy with.

Maned wolf are a stunning species. They’re enabling in that everyone loves a fox - and they’re a fox on stilts! They also fall into the category of animals that smell like things, which contributes to public interest in them.

You mean we could attract Snoop Dogg? I was more hoping that the large unused space at WORZ could actually be utilised, for a variety of precincts floated such as the Himalayas, South America and North America

 

[Zoofan15]

You mean we could attract Snoop Dogg? I was more hoping that the large unused space at WORZ could actually be utilised, for a variety of precincts floated such as the Himalayas, South America and North America

That does tend to be the fun fact you hear first about this species. I think they could similarly do well at Werribee. As an open range zoo, they have the space to hold multiple pairs and contribute to the breeding programme, but the main zoos are (typically) reluctant to hold multiple breeding pairs when a single display animal will suffice.

With any developments at Werribee beyond what they’ve outlined still years away, holding a single Maned wolf at Melbourne seems like the best way to go.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

That does tend to be the fun fact you hear first about this species. I think they could similarly do well at Werribee. As an open range zoo, they have the space to hold multiple pairs and contribute to the breeding programme, but the main zoos are (typically) reluctant to hold multiple breeding pairs when a single display animal will suffice.

With any developments at Werribee beyond what they’ve outlined still years away, holding a single Maned wolf at Melbourne seems like the best way to go.

I agree. WORZ have clearly expressed they are willing to gravitate away from African animals and it could be a really good point of difference against their ‘rival’ in Monarto. It’s a shame Dubbo decided to transgress from International animals and is now primarily focused on African animals again

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree. WORZ have clearly expressed they are willing to gravitate away from African animals and it could be a really good point of difference against their ‘rival’ in Monarto. It’s a shame Dubbo decided to transgress from International animals and is now primarily focused on African animals again

I think African megafauna will always remain centric to Werribee, but diversification into species from other continents is essential if they want to be recognised as one of the region’s leading zoos. To date, they’ve very much remained in the background within an regional and international context - and should aspire to be more than an average zoo with a world class elephant complex.